Redskins vs. Buccaneers: Instant Analysis

One can’t really equate an NFL fourth preseason game for any team to the upcoming season. It’s mostly played by third-string players who may or may not play for another ball club when it it’s all said and done. But as hard as it may be to see, there’s value in the contest and. for the Washington Redskins, their victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has only made coach Jay Gruden’s job harder. His players won the game 13-10.

It must be noted that, while there were Redskins players that had good games in Tampa, they were playing against other second- and third-string guys. By the same token, these guys were playing for their very NFL life and, the way the Redskins played, this was obvious.

Washington quarterback Nate Sudfeld had, statistically, a very good night.

Completing 22 of 33 passes for 228 yards, the second-year QB didn’t throw for any interceptions. He also didn’t throw any touchdown passes but he made good decisions and was composed and in control for most of the evening.

Wideout Matt Hazel made some nice catches, logging four carries for 60 yards (his longest was 23 yards). Fellow receiver Maurice Harris solidified his spot on the roster, returning kicks/punts and catching three balls for 43 yards. He had a nice 18-yard reception.

Under Sudfeld’s watch, the offense logged 20 first downs and 360 total yards. Washington dominated the time of possession 35:10 to Tampa Bay’s 24:50.

Kicker Dustin Hopkins kicked a 53-yard field goal in the first quarter after a 10-play, 19-yard drive that took up 5:23.

But the offense didn’t score again until the fourth quarter when the team logged a field goal. The only other score was when the defense recorded a touchdown off linebacker Josh Harvey-Clemons’ pick-six.

Running back Matt Jones looked, for the most part, like the player that former general manager Scot McCloughan drafted in the third round in 2015, running the ball six times for 24 yards (a four-yard per carry average).

Fellow RB Mack Brown had a decent game as well, leading the RBs with 18 carries for 69 yards, a 3.8 yards-per-carry average.

Rookie running back Samaje Perine didn’t have a great night, logging only five yards on three carries. This is a bit disappointing because there is so much potential there and a lot of high expectations surrounding him. But the NFL game is a lot different from the college game so fans should be patient. The talent is there and he will get better, to be sure.

The offensive line, with guys like Vinston Painter and Ronald Patrick (until he got hurt), gave Sudfeld good protection and the time he needed to throw the ball.

Again, Harvey-Clemons made his presence known in the fourth quarter, grabbing the aforementioned interception for the touchdown that secured the win for Washington. He seemed to be near the ball every time he was on the field. Linebacker Nico Marley was in on most plays when he was on the field. He logged four tackles.

DB Deshazor Everett will be on the team this year based on his training camp and all the preseason games in which he played. Defensive lineman Joey Mbu was mostly consistent with the pressure put on the TB’s quarterbacks.

While defensive back, Jeremiah McKinnon, didn’t have great stats, he was another guy who was frequently around the ball.

I haven’t seen a snap-count yet but defensive lineman A.J. Francis was aggressive and a big part of the pressure the defense put on Tampa Bay.

Unfortunately, Gruden’s third-stringers looked more prepared in this game than his starters looked in the first three in which they played. One would expect the opposite.

But many of the guys that played against the Bucs are fighting for jobs which explains the increased intensity and motivation. Some played well enough that cutting them will be tough for the Redskins coaching staff.

In the end, the Redskins beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 13-10.

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